Why It's So Important To Balance Urgency With Thoughtfulness

I’m involved in a bunch of young companies that are at various
stages of their journey.

I think one of the hardest challenges for sure is the balance of
urgency and thoughtfulness. It’s hard for CEOs and it can be
tricky for board members simply because they aren’t at the
company every day.

I’ve seen fellow board members get itchy (or worse) when they
perceive the CEO doesn’t have a sense of urgency. I believe most
of CEOs do have a sense of urgency. They are watching the balance
sheet, thinking about their team, working on the plan at hand and
thinking about the future. If you are a startup CEO you are
trying to make things happen.

I think that many VCs (myself included at times) tend to confuse
a lack of urgency perception vs a concern that the company isn’t
making enough progress given it’s resources. Those are two
different things and shouldn’t be mixed up.

On the other hand, there are CEOs that move at a million miles an
hour. You can feel their energy as they walk into the room. They
get products out the door, they don’t let toxic employees linger.
They are good at making decisions. They step on the gas and go.

And invariably the latter CEOs need to catch their breath once in
awhile. I think a good board member will help them do that. Take
a step back and take in all in. Ideally board meetings aren’t a
formality but rather an opportunity to do just that. Take it all
in - discuss what’s working great and not working.

I love that first line: “Stand still.” For me it evokes the
image of the kindergarten teacher, walking into a room filled
with screaming five-year olds. “What’s the best way to get the
five year olds to calm down?” I’d ask. “Should you scream
louder?”

Of course not; the right thing to do is to shut the lights.
And, if they’re especially rambunctious, make them put their
heads down on the desk for a nap. It works for five year olds.
It works for your employees. And, most importantly, it works
for the crazy thoughts in your head.

I think that thought of lights out and heads on desk is a good
one for all of us sometimes.